Holidays all seem to have new meaning for me this year. Back in February when baby Anna came into my world on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day changed forever.

Today, I realize that Mother’s Day has suddenly taken on new meaning, too.

No longer is the day simply a time to send flowers to my mom and call her and say, “I love you,” or “Thanks for all that you do for me.”

Instead, today is a day in which my partner in life, Julie, will forever be honored as being a mother.

Somewhere at the beginning of Julie’s pregnancy with Anna I often joked with her, particularly when she was having a bad day and not feeling well, “I’m sorry I did this to you, please forgive me.”

She smiled — usually.

But we both knew what we were getting into, or at least as much as anyone can.

Thankfully the big man upstairs made it so that women were the ones who would carry children and give birth. Otherwise, our species would have died out quickly as most men I know, me included, would not survive pregnancy, let alone birth.

By about month five or so, my husband’s apology would occasionally include the word “really” in front of the word “sorry”; my hope was to emphasize the feeling of regret for what she was going through at the moment.

Only once or twice did I say, “If I could take your place, I would.” We both knew full well that not only was that biologically impossible, but was mentally impossible for me, too.

Women get weird when they get pregnant. I mean that in the nicest way possible. But it’s true; the hormones that pulse through them make their bodies change in some really strange ways.

Taste buds changed, her joints changed and more.

I would have been screaming bloody murder if that sort of thing had occurred to me, but Julie seemed to take it in stride.

After Anna’s arrival, I’ve tried to help with the baby as much as I can. Dirty diapers, rocking, feeding, all are no problem.

But increasingly, I’ve noticed the special, unique bond that has developed between Anna and her mother.

Sometimes a girl just needs her mother.

From arm’s length, it’s fascinating to watch. I don’t even think Julie is aware of it, but she can calm Anna in a way that no one else on earth can do.

For as long as Anna is living, Julie will always be “momma.”

That’s a pretty cool thing, in my book, even though appreciating it at this point may get lost in between periods of no sleep, crying babies, diapering, etc.

Motherhood is something that I’ll never fully experience, but it’s fun to watch and see how the love of my life becomes the love of another’s life, too.

Happy first Mother’s Day, Julie. I love you.

Happy Mother’s Day also to all of the other moms in the area, too. What you do is special, and it’s appreciated.

 

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.